Enveloped Column Core Cosmetic Applicator

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator with a column core applicator tip for retaining and applying a volume of cosmetic material. The column core applicator tip can have a column shape with a substantially continuous, cylindrical outer surface, and cosmetic applicator material, which can comprise flocked bristles, is applied to envelop the column core applicator tip. A cosmetic product reception indentation, which could comprise a supplemental product tube with a body portion within the applicator tip or a distal end cup, is disposed in an end face of the column core applicator tip, and that end face can be disposed at a miter angle. The supplemental product tube can have a length of at least one-half of the length of the body portion of the column core applicator tip.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cosmetic applicators. More particularly, disclosed and protected herein is a cosmetic applicator with a column core enveloped with applicator material, such as flocked applicator bristles, to permit the retention and application of makeup product in an efficient and advantageous manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetic applicators for mascara and other liquid or pasty cosmetics are commonly founded on two pieces, a container or bottle and a cap that retains a rod or wand for being dipped into a volume of cosmetic retained within the container. Cosmetic applicators have an applicator tip fixed to the distal end of the wand for dipping into the volume of cosmetic. The applicator tip can, for example, comprise a flocked member, a brush, or any other structure capable of retrieving cosmetic from the open inner volume of the bottle and applying the cosmetic to a body surface of a user, such as the user's lips, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

Consequently, when the applicator tip is dipped in the cosmetic, it becomes loaded with the liquid or pasty cosmetic. The wand and applicator tip are then withdrawn from the container, typically passing through a wiper for removing excess cosmetic from the applicator tip. With this, the user is able to undertake a controlled application of the cosmetic. The cosmetic dispenser can be sealed during periods of nonuse by a threaded engagement between the cap and a neck of the bottle.

During application of the cosmetic, a user will typically hold the cap with one hand and the bottle in the other. With repeated dipping into the volume of cosmetic material, the applicator tip or other structure can be employed in the successful application of the cosmetic. Mascara is commonly applied in such a manner as are other liquid, semi-liquid, pasty and other cosmetics, including, by way of example and not limitation, lip gloss, concealer, and eye shadow.

However, despite variations in the shape and material composition of the individual bristles, wire, and the contour of the applicator tip, the cosmetic applicators of the prior art have been inherently limited by their structures in their ability to retain and dispense cosmetic material. A fundamental goal of most cosmetic applicators is to retain an increased volume of cosmetic material to minimize the number of times one must dip the wand into the volume of cosmetic to achieve a given application of makeup. Applicator tips typical of the prior art, particularly those with simple round cross sections, provide limited surface area for the retention of cosmetic material. Moreover, many prior art cosmetic applicators do not provide a location or area in which larger volumes of cosmetic material can be retained within or on the applicator tip. With limited surface area and no location or area for retaining larger volumes of cosmetic material, many prior art applicators are consequently unable to permit fewer insertions of the cosmetic applicator tip into the container.

With a knowledge of the state of the art summarized above, the present inventors have appreciated that it would be advantageous to provide a cosmetic applicator with an applicator tip capable of retaining an enhanced volume of cosmetic material as a result of a dipping operation while enabling the advantageous application of that material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator that enables the achievement of a finished appearance expeditiously with as few introductions of the applicator tip into the mascara reservoir as possible.

A related object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator that enables the optimal application of makeup, such as to eyelashes, in an aesthetically pleasing and functionally advantageous manner.

One will appreciate that the foregoing broadly outlines certain goals of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors' contribution to the art. These and in all likelihood further objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to those who have an opportunity to make use of an embodiment of the applicator construction disclosed herein. However, it will be appreciated that, although the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential advantage and function. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In carrying forth the objects of the invention, one embodiment of the cosmetic applicator is founded on a column core applicator tip with a body portion comprising a column shape with a substantially continuous, cylindrical outer surface. Cosmetic applicator material, which could comprise flocked bristles, is applied to envelop the column core applicator tip. The applicator tip can be retained at a distal end of the applicator wand, and a threaded cap can be retained at the proximal end of the applicator wand. In use, the applicator tip and at least a portion of the applicator wand can be selectively dipped into a cosmetic bottle that has an open inner volume for retaining a volume of cosmetic material and a threaded, open neck for threadedly engaging the cap during periods of non-use.

A cosmetic product reception indentation can be disposed in the end face of the column core applicator tip, and the end face can be disposed at a miter angle in relation to the body portion of the applicator tip. In such embodiments, a curved tip portion can be disposed between the body portion of the applicator tip and the end face.

In one particular construction of the cosmetic applicator, the cosmetic product reception indentation in the end face of the column core applicator tip takes the form of a supplemental product tube with a proximal end, a body portion defined by a wall disposed within the body portion of the column core applicator tip, and a distal end open to the end face of the column core applicator tip. The cosmetic applicator material can be applied to at least a portion of the wall that defines the supplemental product tube. The supplemental product tube can taper from the distal end to the proximal end thereof, and it can be substantially concentric with the body portion of the column core applicator tip. To permit the retention of ample cosmetic product, the supplemental product tube can have a length of at least one-half of the length of the body portion of the column core applicator tip.

In an alternative embodiment, the cosmetic product reception indentation can take the form of a distal end cup disposed in the end face of the column core applicator tip. Again, the end face can be disposed at a miter angle in relation to the body portion of the applicator tip. Where the end face is so disposed, distal end cup can have an oval periphery. In any case, the distal end cup can have an arcuate, concave bowl shape for receiving and retaining cosmetic product.

One will appreciate that the foregoing discussion broadly outlines the more important goals and features of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors' contribution to the art. Before any particular embodiment or aspect thereof is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned view in side elevation of an enveloped core cosmetic applicator according to the invention disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of an applicator tip portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the applicator tip portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the applicator tip portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator devoid of flocked applicator bristles;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator tip portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator taken along the line A-A in FIG. 5, again devoid of flocked applicator bristles;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator wand and cup portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1 together with a cosmetic bottle;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic bottle for use under the invention;

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned view in side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator disclosed herein;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the applicator tip portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the applicator tip portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the applicator tip portion of the alternative enveloped core cosmetic applicator devoid of flocked applicator bristles;

FIG. 15 is a view in side elevation of the applicator tip portion of the alternative enveloped core cosmetic applicator again devoid of flocked applicator bristles;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator tip portion of the alternative enveloped core cosmetic applicator taken along the line A-A in FIG. 14, again devoid of flocked applicator bristles; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the applicator tip portion of the enveloped core cosmetic applicator devoid of flocked applicator bristles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that the enveloped column core cosmetic applicator disclosed herein is subject to varied embodiments. However, to ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures. It will be further appreciated that, while the present discussion relates to applicators for enabling the retention and application of mascara and other makeup products, the assembly disclosed herein is not so limited and may be readily applied to other industries beyond the field of cosmetics except as it might be expressly limited.

In carrying forth the foregoing objects, an embodiment of an enveloped column core cosmetic applicator pursuant to the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 through 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the enveloped column core cosmetic applicator has an applicator wand 12 with a proximal end and a distal end. A base cup 14 is fixed to the distal end of the applicator wand 12, such as by being formed integrally therewith, and a cylindrical cap 16 is retained by the base cup 14, such as by a crimping of the material of the cap 16, adhesive, a pressure fit, or any other effective mechanism or combination thereof. A column core applicator tip 18 is secured to the distal end of the applicator wand 12 as will be described further hereinbelow.

The applicator tip 18, which is shown alone in FIGS. 3 through 6, has a column core 20 that presents a continuous cylindrical outer surface in the general shape of a column. As used herein, it will be understood that the term column shall not require a base platform or a capital but only a substantially cylindrical shaft portion. A base rod 26 projects from the proximal end of the column core 20 for being received and retained in a mating relationship relative to a borehole 36 in the distal end of the applicator wand 12 as can be appreciated with combined reference to, for example, FIGS. 1 and 7. The applicator tip 18 has a curved tip 28 with a mitered end face 30 disposed at a given angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip 18. In this example, that angle is approximately 50 degrees. It will be appreciated that the angle of the mitered end face 30 could vary within the scope of the invention depending on, for instance, the type of cosmetic material to be applied, the goals of the manufacturer and user, and other factors. As an example, a steeper angle will provide a greater surface area and will consequently permit the retention of more product. The material of the applicator tip 18 can also be varied for particular performance and tactile goals. By way of example, a rigid material can be employed 18 for imparting a perception of solid and precise application while a flexible material could alternatively be employed for giving a different perception, such as of comfort.

As can be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, a tapered supplemental product tube 32 is disposed within the applicator tip 18. Here, the product tube 32 is generally concentric with the column core 20, but non-concentric dispositions are possible within the scope of the invention. The supplemental product tube 32 has a broadened distal end that is open to the mitered end face 30, a narrowed proximal end at a mid-portion of the column core 20, and a body portion spanning therebetween. The supplemental product tube 32 in this embodiment extends over nearly seventy-five percent of the length of the column core 20 including the curved tip 28. The supplemental product tube 32 meets the mitered end face 30 at a smoothly radiused end portion so that there is a smooth transition therebetween. Similarly, the curved tip 28 meets the mitered end face 30 at a smoothly radiused transition surface.

As illustrated by FIGS. 1 through 4, cosmetic applicator material 22 envelops the column core 20, the curved tip 28, the mitered end face 30, and, potentially as in the current embodiment, some or all of the wall of the supplemental product tube 32. The cosmetic applicator material 22 could comprise any material capable of receiving and retaining a volume of liquid, pasty, or other cosmetic product. In one presently contemplated embodiment, the cosmetic applicator material 22 comprises flocked bristles applied to envelop the applicator tip 18. Except as the invention may be expressly limited based on the advantageous nature of the flocked bristle cosmetic applicator material 22, any other effective material should be considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Under the teachings of the invention, bristles of different sizes and types could be used to achieve desired retention and application characteristics. For example, hard or soft bristles, or a mixture thereof, could be disposed on the applicator tip 18. Moreover, shorter bristles could be employed to yield certain retention and application characteristics, or longer bristles could be employed to achieve alternative application and retention characteristics, including the retention of greater volumes of material. Of course, mixed length bristles could also readily be applied.

Under this construction, the applicator tip 18 can be inserted into a volume of cosmetic material disposed within an open inner volume 38 of a cosmetic bottle 24 as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. Cosmetic material retained by the applicator tip 18 can then be applied as desired, such as to the eyelashes, eyebrows, or lips of a user. During periods of non-use, the base cup 14, which has threads 34 disposed on the inner surface of a peripheral wall thereof, can be threadedly engaged with the bottle 24, which has corresponding threads 40 disposed on the outer surface of a neck thereof as shown, for example, in FIG. 9, to achieve the configuration shown in FIG. 8. Excess cosmetic material can be wiped from the applicator tip 18 by a throat 48 of a wiper 42. The wiper 42 has a cylindrical wall 46 with a shoulder 44 disposed at a first end thereof for overlying the neck of the bottle 24 and a shoulder 50 disposed adjacent to a second end thereof for engaging a base of the neck of the bottle 24.

Advantageously, the applicator tip 18 can retain cosmetic material not only relative to the large surface area presented by the outer surfaces of the column core 20, the curved tip 28, and the mitered end face 30, but also within the supplemental product tube 32, whether by coating or filling the tube or by additionally or alternatively coating and being otherwise retained by cosmetic applicator material 22 applied to the wall of the supplemental product tube 32. With this, cosmetic material can be successfully applied to the hair, lips, or other surface of a user's body with fewer required insertions of the applicator wand 12 and the applicator tip 18 into the open inner volume 38 of the bottle 24. Additionally, the surface contouring and surface variations provided by the column core 20, the curved tip 28, and the mitered end face 30 can enable cosmetic to be applied with varying characteristics according to the user's goals.

It will be appreciated that the invention could pursue alternative embodiments while taking advantage of the developments disclosed herein. One such alternative embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 11 through 17. There, an applicator tip 18 is again retained at a distal end of an applicator wand 12 by having a base rod 26 thereof received and retained in a mating relationship relative to a borehole 36 in the distal end of the applicator wand 12. Also, a threaded base cup 14 is again fixed to the proximal end of the applicator wand 12, and a cap 16 is fixed to house the base cup 14. Still further, the applicator tip 18 again has a column core 20 with a curved tip 28, and the applicator tip 18 again terminates in a mitered end face 30 that is disposed at a given angle, in this case 32 degrees, relative to a longitudinal axis of the column core 20. Again, it will be noted that the angle of the mitered end face 30, although 32 degrees may perhaps be preferred, can vary within the scope of the invention.

In this embodiment, however, the supplemental product tube 32 is foregone in favor of a concave distal end cup 52 disposed in the mitered end face 30 of the applicator tip 18. The distal end cup 52 is disposed to have a periphery spaced evenly from the outer periphery of the mitered end face 30 with smooth transition areas between the distal end cup 52 and the mitered end face 30 and between the mitered end face 30 and the distal end of the curved tip 28. Therefore, based on the mitering of the mitered end face 30, the distal end cup 52 has an oval periphery. As seen most clearly perhaps in FIG. 16, the distal end cup 52 has an arcuate, concave bowl shape. Of course, it will be appreciated that the distal end cup 52 could take a wide variety of other shapes within the scope of the invention except as it might be expressly limited.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13, cosmetic applicator material 22 envelops the column core 20, the curved tip 28, the mitered end face 30, and, potentially, some or all of the surface of the distal end cup 52. The cosmetic applicator material 22 again could comprise flocked bristles or any other material capable of receiving and retaining a volume of liquid, pasty, or other cosmetic product, and the cosmetic applicator material 22 could be applied or retained in any effective manner.

Under this construction, the applicator tip 18 can be inserted into a volume of cosmetic material disposed within an open inner volume 38 of a cosmetic bottle 24. The large surface area presented by the outer surfaces of the column core 20, the curved tip 28, and the mitered end face 30 will again retain a significant volume of cosmetic material. In this embodiment, that retention will further be improved by the ability to receive and retain cosmetic material relative to the cosmetic applicator material 22 and on the surface of the distal end cup 52 and within the distal end cup 52.

Cosmetic material retained by the applicator tip 18 can then be applied as desired, such as to the lips, eyelashes, or eyebrows of a user. As before, cosmetic material can be successfully applied to the lips, hair, or other surface of a user's body with fewer required insertions of the applicator wand 12 and the applicator tip 18 into the open inner volume 38 of the bottle 24. The surface contouring and surface variations provided by the column core 20, the curved tip 28, the mitered end face 30, and the distal end cup 52 enable cosmetic to be applied with varying characteristics.

With certain details of the present invention for an enveloped column core cosmetic applicator 10 disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with certain major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.

Therefore, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventors. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, these claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all equivalents thereof that might be now known or hereafter discovered. 

1. A cosmetic applicator with a column core applicator tip for retaining and applying a volume of cosmetic material, the cosmetic applicator comprising: a column core applicator tip with a proximal end, a distal end comprising an end face, and a body portion comprising a column shape with a substantially continuous, cylindrical outer surface; and cosmetic applicator material applied to the column core applicator tip.
 2. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 further comprising an applicator wand with a proximal end and a distal end wherein the applicator tip is retained at the distal end of the applicator wand.
 3. The cosmetic applicator of claim 2 further comprising a cap retained at the proximal end of the applicator wand and a cosmetic bottle wherein the cosmetic bottle has an open inner volume for retaining a volume of cosmetic material and a threaded, open neck at a proximal end thereof for permitting an insertion and removal of the applicator tip and at least a distal portion of the applicator wand and wherein the cap is threaded for threadedly engaging the threaded neck of the cosmetic bottle.
 4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 further comprising a cosmetic product reception indentation in the end face of the column core applicator tip.
 5. The cosmetic applicator of claim 4 wherein the end face is disposed at a miter angle in relation to the body portion of the applicator tip.
 6. The cosmetic applicator of claim 5 wherein the applicator tip further comprises a curved tip portion between the body portion of the applicator tip and the end face.
 7. The cosmetic applicator of claim 4 wherein the cosmetic product reception indentation in the end face of the column core applicator tip comprises a supplemental product tube with a proximal end, a body portion defined by a wall disposed within the body portion of the column core applicator tip, and a distal end open to the end face of the column core applicator tip.
 8. The cosmetic applicator of claim 7 wherein the cosmetic applicator material applied to the column core applicator tip is applied to at least a portion of the wall that defines the supplemental product tube.
 9. The cosmetic applicator of claim 7 wherein the end face is disposed at a miter angle in relation to the body portion of the applicator tip.
 10. The cosmetic applicator of claim 7 wherein the body portion of the supplemental product tube tapers from the distal end to the proximal end thereof.
 11. The cosmetic applicator of claim 7 wherein the supplemental product tube is substantially concentric with the body portion of the column core applicator tip.
 12. The cosmetic applicator of claim 7 wherein the supplemental product tube has a length of at least one-half of the length of the body portion of the column core applicator tip.
 13. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 wherein the cosmetic applicator material applied to the column core applicator tip comprises flocked bristles applied substantially to envelop the body portion of the column core applicator tip.
 14. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 further comprising a cosmetic product reception indentation in the end face of the column core applicator tip comprising a distal end cup disposed in the end face of the column core applicator tip.
 15. The cosmetic applicator of claim 14 wherein the end face is disposed at a miter angle in relation to the body portion of the applicator tip.
 16. The cosmetic applicator of claim 15 wherein the distal end cup has an oval periphery.
 17. The cosmetic applicator of claim 14 wherein the distal end cup has an arcuate, concave bowl shape.
 18. A cosmetic applicator with an applicator tip for retaining and applying a volume of cosmetic material, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applicator tip with a proximal end, a distal end comprising an end face, and a body portion with a substantially continuous outer surface; a cosmetic product reception indentation in the end face of the column core applicator tip; and cosmetic applicator material applied to the applicator tip.
 19. The cosmetic applicator of claim 18 wherein the end face is disposed at a miter angle in relation to the body portion of the applicator tip.
 20. The cosmetic applicator of claim 19 wherein the applicator tip further comprises a curved tip portion between the body portion of the applicator tip and the end face.
 21. The cosmetic applicator of claim 18 wherein the cosmetic product reception indentation in the end face of the applicator tip comprises a supplemental product tube with a proximal end, a body portion defined by a wall disposed within the body portion of the applicator tip, and a distal end open to the end face of the applicator tip.
 22. The cosmetic applicator of claim 21 wherein the cosmetic applicator material applied to the applicator tip is applied to at least a portion of the wall that defines the supplemental product tube.
 23. The cosmetic applicator of claim 18 wherein the cosmetic applicator material applied to the applicator tip comprises flocked bristles applied substantially to envelop the body portion of the applicator tip.
 24. The cosmetic applicator of claim 18 wherein the cosmetic product reception indentation in the end face of the applicator tip comprises a distal end cup disposed in the end face.
 25. The cosmetic applicator of claim 24 wherein the end face is disposed at a miter angle in relation to the body portion of the applicator tip.
 26. The cosmetic applicator of claim 18 wherein the applicator tip comprises a column core applicator tip with a body portion comprising a column shape with a substantially continuous, cylindrical outer surface. 